1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda Coupes

The 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda Coupes were the final closed Barracudas, marked by more aggressive, "more ponycar" notchback styling and a much beefier new basic structure shared with Dodge's concurrent Challenger.

These coupes were somewhat more numerous than the short-lived 1970-1971 Barracuda Convertibles, though not much in the case of the later performance-oriented 'Cudas. All were hardtop models save a fixed-pillar price-leader that was tried to no good sales effect for 1971 only.

Base and sporty 'Cuda versions were offered throughout, plus luxury Gran Coupe (with formal vinyl-covered roof, a twin to Challenger SE) for 1970-1972. A minor facelift occurred for '71, after which styling was again lightly modified -- then frozen.

Performance declined along with production, though not as much as horsepower numbers might imply, but big-block engines were canceled after '71 in deference to rising insurance rates and a consequent waning in buyer interest.

Big-blocks command the highest values as collector cars, but most any V-8 example is a fine investment, indicated by asking prices that continue rising with fair speed.